UN’s hands stained with blood says Cameron

Published on 27/09/2012 03:51

The hands of the United ­Nations are stained with blood due to its failure to stop the atrocities of the Assad regime in Syria, Prime Minister David Cameron told the international body’s General Assembly last night.

In a clear challenge to Russia and China – which have blocked Security Council resolutions on Syria – Mr Cameron used his keynote address to the General Assembly to call for the whole international community to support moves to bring about a transition of power in Damascus.

He cited a recent Save the Children report documenting the torture and murder of children by regime forces in Syria.

He told world leaders gathered at the UN headquarters in New York: “The blood of these young children is a terrible stain on the reputation of this United Nations. And in particular, a stain on those who have failed to stand up to these atrocities and in some cases aided and abetted ­Assad’s reign of terror. If the United Nations Charter is to have any value in the 21st century, we must join ­together to support a rapid ­political transition.”

Mr Cameron’s comments risk worsening relations with Moscow after a gradual thaw over recent years. The Prime Minister also announced an additional £16.7 million of British humanitarian aid for civilians caught up in the civil war in Syria.